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Kent State Student's Garment to be Featured in Wrangler Clothing Line

Posted Feb. 29, 2012

Shannon Gallagher, a fifth-year fashion merchandising major at Kent State University, designed a work wear garment in her product development class that will be available for purchase in the Wrangler Christmas 2012 catalog. Her motivation came from her rural upbringing and experience on a farm.

“My inspiration came from my lifestyle of living on a farm and what my brother and father would wear,” Gallagher said. “I've raised and showed livestock for years and this design came from there.”

Gallagher, 22, credits Kent State Fashion School instructor Trista Grieder for her success with the well-known company. She said Grieder “played a huge role” in her achievement because Grieder’s project proposal was encouraging, and she also submitted Gallagher’s design to her contact at Wrangler for review.

“Shannon came to me with her passion for the Western customer early in the spring semester of 2010,” Grieder said. She had tried to design lines for this customer before and knew I had worked for Wrangler. This was Shannon's chance to shine.”

Grieder helps to prepare students in using product development industry sheets, Illustrator, Photoshop and many other industry-wide resources. Her students learn that merchandisers and designers are partners in the creation of fashion and that a large network can be the foundation for future successes.

“I try to guide the product development class into other directions than just women’s wear,” Grieder said. “Due to the continuous friendship with my past mentor at Wrangler, we embarked on a men's Western shirt project. Shannon's project stood out, and they decided to manufacture her design.”

The Western-style work wear shirt is long-sleeved with a designed yoke, shirt-type collar, flapped breast pockets and decorative stitching. It is designed for men and has been produced by Wrangler from a concept to a wearable piece.

“Grieder emailed me and it took reading it three times and having my mom read the email to me to believe it was real,” Gallagher said. “It was even more exciting when she sent the email about my shirt design actually being produced and in her office where I could finally see and touch it!”

Gallagher has received praise and support from her family and friends. Her father and brother “are excited to buy the shirt next Christmas and are proud to be part of the inspiration.” Although Gallagher is unsure what her future holds after graduation, she is looking forward to graduating with honors in May.

During her free time, Gallagher enjoys sewing, scrapbooking and photography. Gallagher stays involved in the fashion community by engaging in local entrepreneurship organizations, 4-H, leadership programs and scholarly groups. She works as an independent Mary Kay consultant, a teacher at the Looking Glass Learning Center and a sales associate at the Longaberger Factory Store.

Grieder joined Kent State’s Fashion School faculty in fall 2010, and has worked in the fashion industry for more than 13 years. Her industry experience includes working with such companies as Wrangler, Dillard’s, Augusta Sportswear and Mountain High Hosiery.

Wrangler, established in 1947, is a publicly traded company that offers Western apparel and farm-style work wear. Wrangler has become known for its quality, durability and involvement with Western-style sports and activities.

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